That, or husband/boyfriend/brother comes in with a woman, tells me what she needs, recommends something small and impossible for a beginner to shoot well, and informs her that she doesn't need to practice since "most encounters take place within 6/10/12 feet.

I'd like to add that sometimes when a man is into guns, he wants his lady to be into them also. Thus he recommends something that she's just not going to ever become competent with, b/c she isn't all that interested in the gun itself, though she may be very interested in self-protection.

My own wife is perfect example. She likes guns, but she's not into them like I am, so she carries a hammerless revolver for her CCW. I'd prefer she carry a G23 or P229, but it's not going to happen, so why push the issue?

On the upside, I did get a P229 out of the trial-and-error phase of this experience.

Ah, yes. I hear all the armchair expert opinions about "knockdown power" and such. A personal favorite:

"A 9mm won't do nothin'. The only thing that'll put a man down with one shot is a .45. I wouldn't trust anything else. So, I'm looking for a gun for the wife, maybe a .25 or something."

If I have a special lady friend who shows an interest in shooting, I give a few minor pointers, but ultimately the decision is hers. Furthermore, I'm going to get someone else to teach her. Credentials and experience go out the window to some point when there's an emotional attachment.

__________________
Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change.
--Randall Munroe

>If the average is 2 shots at 6 feet - that doesn't mean all encounters are 2 shots at six feet.<

I really wish the FBI had never published the "gunfight statistics". Let's look at this logically...

Yes, the "average gunfight" is 2-5 shots at 7-10 feet. However: being involved in a gunfight in the first place is a statistical anomaly. Is this REALLY the time to be playing the odds?

>I have no freakin' clue. I mean, really. The last time I checked, the fair sex isn't one homogenous bloc any more than we are. The only way to know is to have the individual who will be using it choose.<

Going by anecdotal evidence, the "ultimate women's gun" is the 1911. EVERY woman I've ever taught to shoot has wanted one...

"I'd like to add that sometimes when a man is into guns, he wants his lady to be into them also. Thus he recommends something that she's just not going to ever become competent with, b/c she isn't all that interested in the gun itself, though she may be very interested in self-protection.

My own wife is perfect example. She likes guns, but she's not into them like I am, so she carries a hammerless revolver for her CCW. I'd prefer she carry a G23 or P229, but it's not going to happen, so why push the issue?

On the upside, I did get a P229 out of the trial-and-error phase of this experience."

+1. While my preferred SD pistol is my G23, I felt I should be able to find something better suited for my wife, who has small hands. After an attempted break-in on our house, I wanted a second pistol in the biometric safe so if I needed to leave the bedroom she would have protection. A Taurus 85 (.38 Spl) fit her hand well so we got that....but she still preferred shooting the G23. So I got a G26. She still preferred the G23. So I got a Ruger Mark III so she could at least get more trigger time. She still preferred the G23.

Now I'm richer 3 pistols I like shooting...and wondering if I should buy a second G23. ;D

The linked article reiterates my many of my experiences and preferences.

Quote:

Yes, the "average gunfight" is 2-5 shots at 7-10 feet. However: being involved in a gunfight in the first place is a statistical anomaly. Is this REALLY the time to be playing the odds?

Would it be correct to say that the average is basically what falls in the 50% (fifty percentile) range?
50% is a failing grade to me.
If you choose a handgun that is only barely likely to be adequate for 50% of the shootings, that means that it won't be adequate for the other 50%.

If a situation arises where deadly force is required, you are most likely to be carrying a handgun rather than a long arm because of size and weight. In that event would you rather to be carrying a 16 oz .380acp or a larger handgun in 9mm, 40S&W, 44 Special, 10mm auto, .357 magnum, .45 Colt, .45ACP, .45GAP (or other cartridges of similar power) with which you have practiced enough regularly to know it is reliable and that you are competent in its use.
This later category of handgun would more likely be more suitable in a larger percentage of self-defense shootings, maybe approaching the 90% range.
I prefer to go for a handgun that rates an A rather than an F (50%).

As has been discussed on this forum many times, the choosing of the firearm is only a starting point. The individual then must decide what level of skill and knowledge they will seek to achieve. It is up to the individual to seek training and to practice to become competent.

"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society,
they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." Frederic Bastiat

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